Worldly Patience is Tolerance while Godly Patience is...

When dealing with an exasperating person haven't we all had to take a deep breath to keep from smacking the other?!?

"God this person is pushing my buttons! I would love to just..." "No, you are right God, that doesn't help anything." "Yes, I hear that God, you chose to forgive me in the middle of my issues, how can I not do the same."

"... but God, they are so darn stubborn!" ..." "Again, you are so right. That same stubbornness would be such an asset when they are fully submitted to you, and partnering in your kingdom work."

Agreeing with God about the offending person's kingdom design, we can now interact in true love towards the offending person, by treating them as if they are already operating in their kingdom design. 

Grace is God's favor towards us though we have not earned it yet. He sees us in our completed state and chooses to interact with us from our finished place rather than our broken place. When we do the same, we heap coals on their heads and release God to go to work.

Romans 12:17-21  17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This picture embodies Love as Patience. The long nose symbolizes the Long Breath in, while looking off to the heavenly distant horizon where God has His way.

The ancient pictograph symbols assembled in this image say it all.

When looking at the purpose of the use of a shepherd's staff for tending sheep, and God's use of the example of Jesus the good shepherd, we learn a lot about ourselves.

1. Implies people are sheep
2. People need directing to get to safety.
3. A staff can be used to nudge and even knock a head to get attention.

When looking further into shepherding, when there is a particularly stubborn sheep, it isn't uncommon for a Shepherd to do a hard thing, and choose to break the leg of said sheep, and then carry it on their shoulder everywhere while it mends... and this is called LOVE. The sheep learns through the pain, and then through the ensuing weeks and months to listen to the Shepherd's voice from the close continual contact.

We often are chasing "feel good's", and greener pastures, which distract us. Many times we are fleeing pains from wounds and all we want is for the lack of that pain and run to what is offered as comfort, however if that comfort is false it only leads to more pain, and the cycle continues.

Home is where Father God's pattern dwells - God's Pattern for life is the only place of true healing and safety. 

"Or perhaps you despise the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience; because you don’t realize that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to to repentance."